NCJ Number
142212
Date Published
1991
Length
79 pages
Annotation
This report presents the results of an evaluation of California's pilot project to develop comprehensive community-based treatment for juvenile sex offenders so as to prevent continued sexual violence.
Abstract
The 4-year Pilot Juvenile Sex Offender Treatment Program established a comprehensive model of court-ordered treatment in three counties. The model consisted of treatment and monitoring of offender behavior in the community to prevent further sexual violence. The three projects accepted 277 sentenced juvenile sex offenders. The treatment averaged 20 months and included over 2 hours per week per offender in individual and group therapy. Offender behavior was monitored in the course of program activities and through collaboration with probation officers, family members, and others familiar with the offender. The treatment approach focused on personal accountability and "relapse prevention." The evaluation found that the program resulted in a low recidivism rate for offenders while in treatment (2.5 percent for new sex offenses). Those who reoffended with sexual crimes had a distinctive profile that differed significantly from those who reoffended with nonsexual offenses and those who did not reoffend. A new Juvenile Risk Assessment Scale developed by the program was effective in identifying offenders at risk for sexual reoffending. Twenty-two juvenile sex offenders could be treated in the community for the same cost as one offender in institutional treatment with parole aftercare. The findings thus indicate that early, direct, and intensive intervention works with juvenile sex offenders. 15 tables and appended evaluation forms and supplementary studies